Apparatus for treating fibrous material



. 5, 1933. J. N SELVIG APPARATUS FOR TREATING FIBROUS MATERIAL FiledAug. 20, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IE4 4 4 H 1 d1 F arm Dec. 5, 1933. J.N.'SELVIG APPARATUS FOR TREATING FIBROUS MATERIAL Filed Aug. 20, 1930 4Sheets-Sheet 2- 5, 1933. J. N. SELVIG APPARATUS FOR TREATING FIBROUSMATERIAL 4 Sheets-Sheet. 3

Filed Aug. 20, 1930 orrieys Dgc. 5, 1933. J. N. SELVIG 1,937,794

APPARATUS FOR TREATING FIBRGUS MATERIAL Filed Aug. 20, 1930' 4Sheets-Shut 4 I V m Patented Dec. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEJohn N. Selvig, Chicago, in.

Application August 20, 1930. Serial No. 478,702

21 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for liber ating fibers from fibrousmaterial such as flax,

. hemp, jute, and the like, and it has for its object the provision of anew and improved form and arrangement of parts whereby the breaking andscutching action may be improved, whereby the fiber may be better keptfrom winding on the breaking and scutching reels and other rotatingparts, whereby an improved stripping m effect may, be attained fortaking the fibers from the operating mechanisms, and whereby apparatusof this type may be otherwise improved in sundry details.

In machines of this type as heretofore emplayed, in which stalks such asflax have been moved forwardly transversely of the stalks forpresentation of opposite ends of the stalks step by step beyondobliquely disposed supporting members or breaking bars for breaking andscutching the stalks progressively from both ends toward their middlepoints, there has been a tendency at times for certain of the stalks tolag back, particularly when the stalks have approached closely to thedischarge end of the breaking apparatus where the breaking and scutchingmechanisms are operating upon the short central portions of the stalksstill unbroken, which short sections are held in position by meansengaging only the flexible fibers of the portions of the stalks alreadybroken. It is one of the objects of my invention to provide an improvedarrangement of parts by which the forward movement of the stalks undersuch circumstances may be controlled in such manner as ;5 to produceeffective results. To this end, it is one of the objects of my inventionto provide an arrangement by which forwardly directed blasts of air maybe delivered upon the fibers at the portion of the path where there is atendency to for such lagging behind of the stalks whereby the fibers andshort stalk portions may be kept in proper alignment, the arrangementpreferably being such that the blasts of air are brought into contactparticularly with the lowermost fibers 5 and stalks of the layer beingacted upon. It is another object of my invention to provide mechanicallyacting means operating at the same speed or at slightly greater speedthan that of the forward movement of the fibers by the main 0 forwardingchains whereby the fibers and short sections of stalk may be kept inalignment.

It is still another object of my invention to provide an improvedarrangement of stationary breaking bar means whereby there shall be such5 cooperation between the breaking bar and the moving bars of the reelas to insure effective engagement of the fibers and stalks by the movingreel bars whereby such stalks and fibers may be pulled outlongitudinally of the fibers so as to be kept eifectively in the desiredoperative alignment.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide an improvedarrangement of stripping means in connection with an endless beltforwarding mechanism whereby the fibers are eilectively removed from thebelt at its delivery end so as to prevent any tendency for such fibersto drag backwardly with the reversely moving inoperative ply of thebelt. This action is, of course, particularly necessary in connectionwith an endless belt of a link chain type in which adjacent links areseparated with respect to each other in their movement around an endpulley, such links being adapted to close with respect to each other asthe chain straightens out for its run to the pulley at the opposite end.It is one of the objects of my invention to provide means in connectionwith such an endless link chain forwarding means for keeping the fibersaway from the points where the links are assuming their straightenedrelationship to each other where such fibers would be likely to bepinched between adjacent parts so as to be carried along with the belt.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide improved shieldingmeans for insuring free movement oi the fibers past the points at theends of the breaking and scutching reels where the supporting anddriving shafts extend into the bearings. It is highly important toprevent the fibers irom being wound to even a slight extent upon theshafts, since such winding when permitted to start is likely to reachsuch proportions as to interfere materially with the operation of themachine. the objects of my invention to provide an arrangement wherebythere shall be no winding at all of the fibers upon the shafts or otherparts of the reels.

It is another object of my invention to improve devices of this type insundry details hereinafter pointed out. The preferred means by which Ihave accomplished my several objects are illustrated in the drawings andare herein- It is accordingly one of after specifically described. Thatwhich I be- 10 lieve to be new and desire to cover by Letters Patent isset forth in the claims.

In the drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my improved apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, with aportion of the housing broken away for clearness of illustration;

Figs. 3, 4 and are vertical cross sections 5 taken on lines 33, 4-4 and5-5 respectively of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section taken at line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross section taken upon a considerably enlargedscale at line 77 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 8 and 9 are horizontal cross sections taken at lines 88 and 9-9respectively of Fig. 4, the ribbed plate associated with one of theconveyors being omitted from Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross section taken at line 1016 of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a view of a fragmentary portion of one of the reel barsshowing its connection with the shielding device at the end of the reel.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings, in whichcorresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters,indicates a frame-work of any approved type supporting a flat table 21.As is best shown in Fig. 3, at one side of the table 21 near thereceiving end of the machine there are located two intermeshing reels 22and 23. As is shown in Fig. 4, two additional intermeshing reels 24 andare mounted at the opposite side of the table 21 at the discharge end ofthe machine. The reels 22 and 23 are located within a housing 26suitably supported from the frame-work 20, while the reels 24 and 25 aremounted within a housing 27. The housings 26 and 2'7 form parts of theframe-work of the machine, serving to support certain of the operatingparts and to reenforce the construction generally.

Upon the table 21. I have provided an endless ,belt conveyor in the formof an endless chain 28 which is mounted upon two gears 29 and 30 (seeFigs. 2 and 7), such gears 29 and 30 being held in spaced relation toeach other by a longitudinally extending frame bar 31 (see Fig. 3). Atone side of the conveyor belt 28, I have provided an auxiliary endlessbelt 32 mounted upon suitable supporting pulleys, the front pulley 33 ofwhich is fixedly mounted upon a countershaft 34 for driving said pulleyand said endless belt conveyor for moving the bottom ply of saidconveyor toward the left in Fig. 1. At the opposite side of the mainconveyor 28, I have provided a short endless belt 35 also mounted uponsuitable pulleys, the front pulley 36 of which is fixedly mounted upon ashaft 31 which is connected with the shaft 34 by driving meanscomprising an endless chain 38.

At one side of the main conveyor chain 28, with its rear end overlappingthe front end of said conveyor 28, I have provided a second conveyor inthe form of an endless belt 39, such belt 39 being mounted by means ofan idler pulley 40 at its rear end and by means of a driving pulley 41at its forward end, the driving pulley 41 being fixedly mounted upon ashaft 42 revolubly mounted in the framework 20 near the front ordelivery end of the machine (see Figs. 1 and 5).

The arrangement is such that the belts 28, 32 and 35 are adapted tocarry a series of stalks of fibrous material such as flax forward alongthe table toward the left in Fig. 1, with such stalks movingtransversely of themselves in parallel arrangement on the table, suchstalks being fed in any suitable manner along the table to the conveyors at the receiving end of the machine as shown at the right inFig. 1. The chain 28 is adapted to grip the stalks as hereinafterdescribed for holding the stalks firmly in position. The chains 32 and35 are provided with outwardly extending lugs 43, as is best shown inFigs. 1 and 3, which are adapted by engagement with the stalks to movethem forward in parallel arrangement with respect to each other. Bymeans of the chains as described, the stalks are fed forward so as tocause their outer ends to project gradually beyond the obliquelydisposed edge 44 of the table 21 at one side thereof, and thereafter tocause the opposite end portions of the stalks to project graduallybeyond the obliquely disposed edge 45 at the opposite side of the table.When the stalks reach the chain 39, they pass into the grip of saidchain, the two chains 28 and 39 together serving to carry the stalks thefull length of the table.

Referring now to the reels 22 and 23 (see Fig. 3) it will be seen thatsuch reels comprise heads 46 and 47 mounted upon shafts 48 and 49respectively, such shafts being mounted between standards 50 forming theend portions of the housing 26. The heads 46 comprise radially extendingarms upon the outer ends of which are mounted breaking bars 51, theheads 46 being arranged in staggered relation to each otherlongitudinally of the reel, with the breaking bars 51 in spiralarrangement. In like manner the heads 47, a plurality of which areemployed. comprise radially extending arms connected by means ofbreaking bars 52 which are also spiral ly arranged, with the heads 4'7in staggered relation to each other.

The reels 24 and 25 are of similar construction and arrangementcomprising heads 53 and 54 mounted upon shafts 55 and 56 respectivelyrevolubly mounted in standards 57 at the ends of the housing 27.Breaking bars 58 are provided in spiral arrangement upon the reel 24supported by the heads 53 and breaking bars 59 are provided in spiralarrangement upon the reel 25 supported by the heads 54.

Power is applied to the machine by means of a pulley 60 mounted upon atransversely disposed shaft 61. Suitable gearing is provided between theshaft 61 and the longitudinally extending shaft 49 of the lower reel fordriving such lower reel at the desired speed of rotation. Intermeshinggears 62 (see Fig. 1) serve to connect the shafts 48 and 49 for causingthe reels 22 and 23 to rotate in synchronism. The shaft 61 is alsoprovided with a driving pulley 63 (see Fig. 1)

which is to be operatively connected by a belt 1 6311 with a pulley 64which in turn is connected by suitable gearing with the shaft 56 of thelower reel 25. The shafts 55 and 56 of the cooperating reels 24 and 25are connected by intermeshing gears 65 for causing them to haveeffective cooperation.

As is best shown in Fig. 9, the shaft 56 of the lower reel 25 isconnected by means of beveled gears 66 and 67 with a countershaft 68which in turn is connected by means of a sprocket chain 69 and sprocketgears 70 and 71 with a shaft 72. Such shaft '72 is connected by asprocket chain '73 and cooperating sprocket gears 74 with the shaft 42upon which is mounted the forward end of the chain 39 as abovedescribed. The arrangement is such that when the reels 24 and 25 arebeing driven in the operation of the machine the chain 39 also is drivenin the direction for carrying the bottom ply of the chain toward theleftdn Fig. l.

Lesa-m4 The shaft 72 is likewise connected by means of a sprocket chainand sprocket gears 78 with a shaft '77, being the shaft upon which thegear 30 is mounted as above described. The arrangement is such that thelower ply of the belt 28 moves toward the left in Fig. 1 upon operativerotation of the reels 24 and 25. The shaft 7'1 is also provided with asprocket gear '78 (see Fig. 7) which is connected by means of a sprocketchain 79 with the shaft 34 upon which the sprocket gear 33 is mounted asabove described. By means of such connections, power is applied fordriving the belt 32 for moving its bottom ply forwardly (towards theleft in Fig. l) and for driving the shaft 37 through the medium of thesprocket chain 38 as before described for driving the conveyor belt 35.

Upon the table 21 underneath the main conveyor belt 28, I have providedtwo longitudinally extending ribs 30 which extend upwardly betweenspaced longitudinally extending links of the lower ply of the conveyorbelt 28 (see Fig. '7). In the construction shown, the ribs are formedintegrally with each other on one face of a plate 81 rigidly secured inposition. The arrangement is such that when a stalk of fibrous materialsuch as flax is fed from the right in Fig. 1 between the lower ply ofthe chain 28 and the upwardly extending ribs 80 the stalk is crimpedsufficiently to be held very strongly against movement longitudinally ofitself with respect to the ribs and the chain. At the same time thestalks are readily movable longitudinally of the ribs by the chain asabove described.

Underneath the chain 39, I have provided three upwardly extending ribs82 likewise formed integrally with each other on one face of a plate 83.The ribs 82 extend longitudinally between the links of the chain 39 asis also clearly shown in Fig. 7, the arrangement being such that whenthe fibrous portions of a stalk are fed transversely into positionbetween the chain and the ribs the fibers are held strongly againstmovement longitudinally of themselves.

When the stalks of fibrous material are fed to the machine at its righthand end as shown in Fig. 1 so as to be carried by the conveyor chainstransversely of the stalks for causing the ends of the stalks to projectgradually beyond the diagonally disposed edge 44 of the table, such endsof the stalks are engaged by the breaking bars 51 of the top reel 22 soas to be bent downwardly about the obliquely disposed edge portion 44.Shortly after such bend ing operation has been effected, the breakingbar 52 of the lower reel 23 is brought into engagement with the stalkbelow the bar 51 so as to bend the stalk in the opposite direction andpreferably at the same point asthat at which the initial bending tookplace. These successive bendings in opposite directions, coupled withthe delivery of a succession of blows upon the stalks by the bars 51 and52, serve to remove the woody portions of the stalks from the fibers,such action proceeding progressively from the end of the stalk towardthe middle portion. In due time the opposite end portions of the stalksare brought similarly into eng ement with the bars 58 and 59 of thereels 24 and 25 which serve to bend such end portions in oppositedirections by cooperation with the diagonally disposed edge portion 45of the table 21. Shortly after the stalks reach the rear ends of thereels 22 and 23 and pass out of engagement therewith, the fibers aregrasped by the conveyor belt 39. as shown in Fig. 4, for continuing theforward movement of the stalks and fibers.

After these stalks have passed out of engagement with the chain 28, theforward movement of the short sections of stalk still remaining unbrokenis controlled and effected by the chain 39 by its engagement with theflexible fibers only as compared with the engagement formerly of thechain 28 with the woody portions of the stalks. For better effecting thedesired control of the stalks and fibers by the chain 39 at this stageof the operation, I have provided a ,plate 84 between the chain 39 andthe front end portions of the reels 24 and 25, as is best shown in Fig.8, such plate being indicated by the numeral 84. As is best shown inFig. 7, the outer edge of the plate 84 is inclined downwardly andoutwardly toward the breaking bars of the adjacent reels, such edgeportion being preferably curved easily and gradually for providing thedesired inclined face portion for supporting the short unbroken sectionsof the stalks in the desired inclined position for most effectiveoperation of the breaking bars 58 thereon. With the stalks held ininclined position as shown in Fig. 4, the bars 58 in passing downwardlyalong the stalks have a marked tendency to pull the stalkslongitudinally thereof toward the right in said Fig. 4, having atendency thus to maintain the stalks in parallel arrangement to eachother in transverse alignment across the machine. Inasmuch as thebreaking bars 58 are obliquely disposed vertically, with their rear endportions brought first into operative relation to the stationarybreaking bar 45, the engagement of the bars 58 with the stalks has atendency to move such stalks forwardly toward the delivery end of themachine. I have found in practice that with the breaking bars 58obliquely disposed as described and with the edge of the plate 84inclined downwardly and outwardly toward the breaking bars. the stalksare kept in substantially normal parallel position for effective actionof the breaking bars 58 thereon.

For assisting in holding the stalks in parallel arrangement with respectto each other so far as may be desirable, I have provided auxiliaryforwarding means, such means comprising an arrangement for delivering aseries of blasts of air diagonally outwardly and forwardly from the edgeof the plate 84 so as to be brought into contact with the lowermoststalks or fibers of the layer of stalks and fibers moving forwardlyalong the edge of such plate 84. This means, in the construction shown,'comprises a chamber 85 provided by coring out the bottom face of theplate 84 to which chamber compressed air is fed by means of a pipe 86connected with any suitable source. The chamber 85 is provided at theouter edge of the plate 84 with a series of slots or notches 87 throughwhich blasts of air are directed diagonally outwardly and forwardly intoengagement with the stalks and fibers extending over the edge of theplate 84.

I have provided also an additional means for holding the stalks andfibers in normal position. Such additional means comprises an endlessbelt 88 mounted at one end upon a sheave or pulley 89 carried by theshaft 1'1. with its forward end extending about a smaller pulley 90mounted upon a bellcrank 91. connected with the upper end of the lever91 serves to apply a constant pressure for tighten- A spring 92 ing thebelt 89. The arrangement is such that the lower ply of the belt 88engages the fibers for holding them in close engagement with the plate84. In the arrangement shown, the belt 38 is driven at slightly greatersurface speed than that of the belt 39, whereby there is a slighttendency for the belt 88 to cause the fibers to be angled forwardly.

By the provision of the plate 84 having its inclined outer edge portion,and with the provision of the means for providing blasts of airoutwardly and forwardly, together with the provision of the auxiliaryforwarding means comprising the belt 88, either alone or in combinationwith each other, I have provided an arrangement by which the fibers arekept in their proper parallel relation to each other and whereby theshort pieces of stalk at the central portions of the stalks are heldfirmly enough in position to insure proper action of the breaking bars58 and 59 thereon for insuring the desired breaking and cleaning action.

The improved means which I have provided for stripping the fibers fromthe chain 39 at the end of the machine comprises a plurality of flexiblestrips 93 interposed between the laterally spaced links of the chain 39,as is best shown in Fig. 7. Each strip is secured at the rear end of thechain 39 by means of a bracket 94, and is secured at the forward end ofthe machine by means of a head 95 to which the strip is connected, suchhead 95 in turn being adjustably connected by means of a screw 95 with abracket 9'7. In the arrangement shown, the strips 93 have slidingengagement with the rounded lower end portion of the bracket 97, thearrangement being such that the strips 93 may be independently tightenedby a proper adjustment of the respective screws 96. The strips 93 arearranged to fit snugly between the transversely separated link portionsof the chain 39 so as to cause the fibers being forwarded by the chain39 to pass readily out of engagement therewith at the discharge end ofthe chain so as to be delivered to any suitable receiving mechanism. Thestrips 93 also are effective for preventing the fibers being carriedforward by the chain from entering the spaces 39a between the links ofthe chain.

At the forward end of the housing 26, I have provided a shield 98extending downwardly into close proximity to the edge of the table 21(see Fig. 3) for preventing the hurds from collecting on the table 21 soas to interfere with the free movement of the stalks and fiberstherealong. At the forward end of the housing 27, I have provided asimilarly arranged shield 99 likewise extending downwardly into closeproximity to the edge of the plate 84. By the provision of the housings26 and 2'7 and the shields- 98 and 99, I have been enabled to keep thetable 21 comparatively clear, as well as to keep the, dust to a minimum.

At the forward ends of the reels 22 and 24, I have provided shieldingmeans for preventing the winding of the fibers about the top reels. Eachof these devices is in the form of a segmental drum 100. As is bestshown in Fig. 9, each of the drums 100 comprises a transverselyextending web portion 101 by which the drum is mounted in position uponthe housing. As is clearly shown in said figure, the drum extendsbackwardly into close proximity to the head upon which the breaking barsare mountcd.beingspacedashortdistancefronithe breaking bars. As afurther precaution, a sleeve 102 is provided about the end portion ofthe shaft extending backwardly into a groove in the forward end of thehub portion of the head 53. By the use of this arrangement, the fiber iskept from winding about the reel or any of the parts of the reel.

Upon the forward end of each of the reels 23 and 25, I have providedmeans for preventing winding of the fiber thereon. This means comprisesa disc 103 fixed upon the shaft of the lower reel by means of a hub 104extending backwardly into contact with the head upon which the breakingbars of the reel are mounted. The outer edge portion of the disc 103 isprovided with a fiange 105 which embraces closely the outer edge of adisc 106 carried by the adjacent frame-work, the arrangement being suchthat it is impossible for fibers under any normal conditions to becomeentangled between the disc 106 and the disc 103.

The breaking bars 59 are notched at their forward ends so as to havesnug engagement about the edge of the disc 103 and the flange 105, withthe shoulder portion 107 of each of such bars rounded backwardly withrespect to the direction of the rotation of the reel, the end portionsof the breaking bars being connected with the disc 103 by means ofblocks 1030. By reason of this arrangement, the fibers are effectivelyprevented from becoming entangled between the breaking bars and thedisc.

By the provision of my improved construction, I am enabled to break andscutch such fibrous material as flax very eflectively. I have found inpractice that the flax fiber as it comes from a machine built inaccordance with the showing of my drawings is commercially clean fiber.Inasmuch as the machine is designed to operate at high speed, it willappreciated that the capacity of the machine is comparatively verygreat. Inasmuch as the reels are set at a comparatively very small anglefrom the central longitudinal line of the machine it will be appreciatedthat with the machine designed for bending or breaking the stalks atintervals of as little as V; of an inch, even under such circumstancesthe forward movement of the straw is comparatively rapid, since the timeintervals between blows of the breaking bars are exceedingly short andthe fiax must move forward a comparatively great distance for obtainingthe desired projection beyond the obliquely disposed edge of the table.I have found that by the use of my improved machine the dust and woodyportions of the stalks are controlled very effectively; and that thereis very little if any tendency for the fiber to wind about any of themoving parts.

While I prefer to employ the construction as shown in my drawings and asabove described, it is to be understood that my invention is not limitedto such construction except so far as it is so limited by the prior art,it being understood that changes might well be made without departingfrom the spirit of my invention.

I claim:-

1. An apparatus of the type described,comcloseproxlmitytheretoforbreakingtheendsof the stalks as they arepresented beyond said obliquely disposed edge of the table, and a plateon said table opposite the forward end portion of said breaking barserving to raise the effective level of the edge of the table at thatpoint with respect to the breaking bar, said plate hav ing its outeredge obliquely disposed to correspond to the angle of the edge of thetable and having such outer edge gradually and easily rounded downwardlyand outwardly with respect to the table for supporting the stalks atthat point in raised and inclined position.

2. An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination atable, conveyor means adapted to grip stalks of fibrous material andmove them forward transversely of the stalks along a path convergingforwardly with respect to the edge of the table, means acting on saidstalks as they are fed forwardly along the table for breaking theportions of the stalks extending between the conveyor means and saidconverging edge of the table, a second conveyor means in lappingrelationship to said first named conveyor means at the side thereof atwhich said converging edge of the table is located and extendingforwardly from said first named conveyor means adapted by engagementwith the broken portions of said stalks to move the stalks forwardtransversely of the stalks along a path converging forwardly withrespect to a second edge portion of said table, a second means acting onsaid stalks as they are fed forwardly along the table for breaking theportions of the stalks extending between said conveyor means and saidsecond named converging edge of the table, and a plate on said table atthe forward end portion thereof beyond said first named conveyor meansserving to raise the effective level of the edge of the table at thepoint where the portions of the stalks already partially broken by thegrip of said first named conveyor means are acted upon by said secondbreaking means and having its outer edge gradually and easily roundeddownwardly and outwardly with respect to the table for supporting thestalks at that point in raised and inclined position.

3. An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination atable, conveyor means adapted by a firm grip thereon to move stalks offibrous material forwardly transversely of the stalks along a pathobliquely disposed with respect to one edge of said table, a breakingbar, means for moving said breaking bar downwardly past said edge of thetable in close proximity thereto for breaking the ends of the stalks asthey are presented beyond the edge of the table, and pneumaticallyacting means adapted to assist said breaking bar and said conveyor meansin keeping said stalks moving forwardly in substantially parallelarrangement with respect to each other for effective action thereon bysaid breaking bar.

4. An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination atable, conveyor means adapted by a firm grip thereon to move stalks offibrous material forwardly transversely of the stalks along a pathobliquely disposed with respect to one edge of said table, a breakingbar, means for moving said breaking bar downwardly past said edge of thetable in close proximity thereto for breaking the ends of the stalks asthey are presented beyond the edge of the table, and means for directinga plurality of blasts of air obliquely forwardly and outwardly on saidstalks at different points along the path of movement of the stalks nearthe end of their movement along the table for assisting in keeping thestalks in substantially parallel arrangement with respect to each otherfor effective action thereon by said breaking bar.

5. An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination atable, conveyor means for moving stalks of fibrous material forwardlytransversely of the stalks along a path obliquely disposed with respectto one edge of said table, a breaking bar, means for moving saidbreaking bar downwardly past said edge of the table in close proximitythereto for breaking the ends of the stalks as they are presented beyondthe edge of the table. and auxiliary forwarding means acting from belowon the layer of stalks and fibers extending over the edge of the tablefor assisting in keeping the stalks and fibers moving forwardly insubstantially parallel arrangement with respect to each other foreffective action thereon by said breaking bar.

6. An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination atable, conveyor means for moving stalks of fibrous material forwardlytransversely of the stalks along a path obliquely disposed with respectto one edge of said table, a breaking bar. means for moving saidbreaking bar downwardly past said edge of the table in close proximitythereto for breaking the ends of the stalks as they are presented beyondthe edge of the table, and means for delivering a blast of air obliquelyforwardly and outwardly with respect to the edge of the table from apoint below the stalks and fibers of the layer being treated forassisting in keeping the stalks and fibers moving forwardly insubstantially parallel arrangement with respect to each other foreffective action thereon by said breaking bar.

7. An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination atable, conveyor means for moving stalks of fibrous material forwardlytransversely of the stalks along a path obliquely disposed with respectto one edge of said table, a breaking bar. means for moving saidbreaking bar downwardly past said edge of the table in close proximitythereto for breaking the ends of the stalks as they are presented beyondthe edge of the table, a plate on said table having a downwardly andoutwardly inclined face upon which the projecting ends of said stalksare supported for effective action thereon by said breaking bar, andmeans for delivering a series of blasts of air obliquely forwardly andoutwardly from the edge of the plate below the layer of stalks andfibers being treated adapted to assist in keeping said stalks movingforwardly in substantially parallel arrangement with respect to eachother.

8. 'An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination atable; conveyor means adapted to grip stalks of fibrous material andmove them forward transversely of the stalks along a path convergingforwardly with respect to the edge of the table, means acting on saidstalks as they are fed forwardly along the table for breaking theportions of the stalks extending between the conveyor means and saidconverging edge of the table, a second conveyor means in lappingrelationship to said first named conveyor means at the side thereof atwhich said converging edge of the table is located and extendingforwardly from said first named conveyor means adapted by engagementwith the broken portions of said stalks to move the stalks forwardtransversely of the stalks along a path converging forwardly withrespect to a second edge portion of said table, a second means acting onsaid stalks as they are fed forwardly along the table for breaking theportions of the stalksextending between said conveyor means and saidsecond named converging edge of the table. and means for directing ablast of air obliquely forwardly and outwardly on the portions of thestalks already partially broken by the grip of said first named conveyormeans near the end of their movement along said second named convergingedge portion of the table for assisting in keeping the stalks insubstantially parallel arrangement with respect to each other foreffective action thereon by said second named breaking means.

9. An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination atable, conveyor means for moving stalks of fibrous material forwardlytransversely of the stalks along a path obliquely disposed with respectto one edge of said table, a breaking bar, means for moving saidbreaking bar downwardly past said edge of the table in close proximitythereto for breaking the ends of the stalks as they are presented beyondthe edge of the table. a plate on said table having a downwardly andoutwardly inclined face upon which the projecting ends of said stalksare supported for effective action thereon by said breaking bar, saidplate being cored out on its bottom face for providing a chamber next tothe table, with obliquely disposed openings leading from the chamberforwardly and outwardly, and means for delivering air under pressure tosaid chamber for directing blasts of air through said openings forassisting in keeping said stalks moving forwardly in substantiallyparallel arrangement with respect to each other.

10. An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination atable, conveyor means adapted to grip stalks of fibrous material andmove them forward transversely of the stalks along a path convergingforwardly with respect to the edge of the table, means acting on saidstalks as they are fed forwardly along the table for breaking theportions of the stalks extending between the conveyor means and saidconverging edge of the table, a second conveyor means in lappingrelationship to said first named conveyor means at the side thereof atwhich said converging edge of the table is located and extendingforwardly from said first named conveyor means adapted by engagementwith the broken portions of said stalks to move the stalks forwardtransrversely of the stalks along a path converging forwardly withrespect to a second edge portion of said table, a second means acting onsaid stalks as they are fed forwardly along the table for breaking theportions of the stalks extendin between said conveyor means and saidsecond named converging edge of the table, and auxiliary conveyor meansadapted by engagement with said stalks closely adjacent to the pointswhere such stalks have been partially broken by the grip of said firstnamed conveyor means to assist in holding the stalks in substantiallyparallel arrangement with respect to each other for effective actionthereon by said second named breaking means.

11. An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination atable, conveyor means adapted to grip stalks of fibrous material andmove them forward transversely of the stalks along a path convergingforwardly with respect to the edge of the table, means acting on saidstalks as they are fed forwardly along the table for breaking theportions of the stalks extending between the conveyor means and saidconverging edge of the table, a second conveyor means in lappingrelationship to said first named conveyor means at the side thereof atwhich said converging edge of the table is located and extendingforwardly from said first named conveyor means adapted by engagementwith the broken portions of said stalks to move the stalks forwardtransversely of the stalks along a. path converging forwardly withrespect to a second edge portion of said table, a second means acting onsaid stalks as they are fed forwardly along the table for breaking theportions of the stalks extending between said conveyor means and saidsecond named converging edge of the table, and auxiliary conveyor meansadapted by engagement with said stalks closely adjacent to the pointswhere said stalks have been partially broken by the grip of said firstnamed conveyor means to urge such portions of the stalks forward at aslightly faster rate than that at which they are carried positivelyforward by the first named and second named conveyor means forpreventing the stalks from dragging backwardly at such partially brokenportions.

12. An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination atable, conveyor means adapted to grip stalks of fibrous material andmove them forward transversely of the stalks along a path convergingforwardly with respect to the edge of the table, means acting on saidstalks as they are fed forwardly along the table for breaking theportions of the stalks extending between the conveyor means and saidconverging edge of the table, a second conveyor means in lappingrelationship to said first named conveyor means at the side thereof atwhich said converging edge of the table is located and extendingforwardly from said first named conveyor means adapted by engagementwith the broken portions of said stalks to move the stalks forwardtransversely of the stalks along a path converging forwardly withrespect to a second edge portion of said table, a second means acting onsaid stalks as they are fed forwardly along the table for breaking theportions of the stalks extending between said conveyor means and saidsecond named converging edge of the table, and a short endless beltmounted between said first named and said second named conveyor meansand extending forwardly from said first named conveyor means into closeproximity to said second named converging edge portion of the tableadapted by frictional engagement with said stalks to urge them forwardlyfor keeping them in substantially transverse position on the table insubstantial parallelism with each other for effective action thereon bysaid second named breaking means.

13. In an apparatus of the type described, the combination of a table;means for moving stalks of fibrous material forwardly transversely ofthe stalks along a path obliquely disposed with respect to one edge ofsaid table; a reel comprising a shaft, heads on said shaft. and breakingbars carried by said heads longitudinally of the reel, and extendingbeyond the head at the delivery end of the reel arranged for breakingthe ends of the stalks about said edge of the table as they areprojected beyond said edge; and a shield in the form of a segmentalcylinder held in fixed position between the shaft and the breaking barsin close proximity to the breaking bars at the outer face of the head atthe delivery end of the reel serving to prevent the fibers from windingabout the shaft.

14. In an apparatus of the type described, the combination of a table;means for moving stalks of fibrous material forwardly transversely ofthe stalks along a path obliquely disposed with respect to one edge ofsaid table; a reel comprising a shaft, heads on said shaft, and breakingbars carried by said heads longitudinally of the reel, serving incooperation with other parts to break and scutch stalks projected beyondsaid edge of the table; a plate held in fixed position at the deliveryend of the reel; and a second plate connected with said breaking barsand embracing said first named plate whereby said two plates serve toprevent the fibers from winding about said shaft.

15. In an apparatus of the type described, the combination of a table;means for moving stalks of fibrous material forwardly transversely ofthe stalks along a path obliquely disposed with respect to one edge ofsaid table; a reel comprising a shaft, heads on said shaft, and breakingbars carried by said heads longitudinally of the reel, serving incooperation with other parts to break and scutch stalks projected beyondsaid edge of the table; a plate held in fixed position at the deliveryend of the reel; and a second plate connected with said breaking barsand having a flange extending about said first named plate in closeproximity thereto, the ends of the breaking bars having notchedengagement with said second plate, with the end portions of the breakingbars bent backwardly with respect to the direction of rotation of thereel, said two plates serving by cooperative action to prevent thefibers from winding about said shaft.

16'. An apparatus of the type described, comprising in combination apulley, an endless chain conveyor means extending about said pulley andadapted by engagement with the fibers of partially broken and cleanedstalks of fibrous material to carry the stalks forward transversely ofthe stalks. means for breaking and scutching the unbroken portions ofsaid stalks as they are moved forward by said conveyor means, and meansfor holding said fibers out of engagement between the ends of the linksof said endless chain at the point where such chain passes around saidpulley.

1'7. In an apparatus of the type described, the combination of a pulley,an endless chain conveyor means extending about said pulley comprising aplurality of series of articulated links transversely spaced withrespect to each other adapted by engagement with the fibers of partiallybroken and cleaned stalks of fibrous material to carry the stalksforward transversely of the stalks, means for breaking and scutching theunbroken portions of said stalks as they are moved forward by saidconveyor means, and guards extending between the several series of linksserving to hold the fibers out of engagement between the ends of thelinks of the chain at the point where such chain passes around saidpulley.

18. In an apparatus of the type described, the combination of a pulley,an endless chain conveyor means extending about said pulley com-'prising a plurality of series of articulated links transversely spacedwith respect to each other adapted by engagement with the fibers ofpartially broken and cleaned stalks of fibrous material to carry thestalks forward transversely of the stalks, means for breaking andscutching the unbroken portions of said stalks as they are moved forwardby said conveyor means. and flexible strips extending between theseveral series of links at the lower ply of the endless chain serving tohold the fibers out of engagement between the ends of the links of thechain at the point where such chain passes around said pulley.

19. In an apparatus of the type described, the combination of a pulley,an endless chain conveyor means extending about said pulley comprising aplurality of series of articulated links transversely spaced withrespect to each other adapted by engagement with the fibers of partiallybroken and cleaned stalks of fibrous material to carry the stalksforward transversely of the stalks, means for breaking and scutching theunbroken portions of said stalks as they are moved forward by saidconveyor means. flexible strips extending between the several series oflinks throughout the length of the lower ply of the endless chainserving to hold the fibers out of engagement between the ends of thelinks of the chain at the point where such chain passes around saidpulley, and means for tightening said strips for insuring their beingheld in effective operative position.

20. In an apparatus of the type described, the combination of a pulley,an endless chain conveyor means extending about said pulley comprising aplurality of series of articulated links 113 transversely spaced withrespect to each other,

a plurality of ribs extending upwardly between said series of links intosuch relationship to said links that the chain by engagement with thefibers of partially broken and cleaned stalks of 115 fibrous materialserves to grip said fibers strongly for carrying the stalks forwardtransversely of the stalks, means for breaking and scutching theunbroken portions of said stalks as they are moved forward by saidconveyor means, and 120 guards extending between the several series oflinks opposite the edges of said ribs serving to hold the fibers out ofengagement between the ends of the links of the chain at the point wheresuch chain passes around said pulley.

21. In an apparatus of the type described, the combination of a pulley,an endless chain conveyor means extending about said pulley comprising aplurality of series of articulated links transversely spaced withrespect to each other, a plurality of ribs extending upwardly betweensaid series of links into such relationship to said links that the chainby engagement with the fibers of partially broken and cleaned stalks offibrous material serves togrip said fibers strongly for carrying thestalks forward transversely of the stalks, means for breaking andscutching the unbroken portions of said stalks as they are moved forwardby said conveyor means, and flexible strips extending between the 1;;several series of links opposite the edges of said ribs at the lower plyof the endless chain serving to hold the fibers out of engagementbetween the ends of the links of the chain and to strip the fibers fromthe chain at the delivery 1;, end of the chain.

JOHN N. SELVIG.

